Massage and breastfeeding

[Pokemon Fan]

Hi folks,

I'd like to write an article on massage and breastfeeding... doing some google research, but wanted to get personal experience/perspectives from you! Specifically anything mothers who are breastfeeding need to know about receiving massage, and anything massage (including self-massage?) can do to help with breastfeeding (e.g. this article: http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2005/03/massage_for_bre.html )

 

[ICEBALLS 2]

Massage and breastfeeding

I have a very good friend who is a lactation consultant. She sees a lot of moms and babies having issues with breastfeeding and she is an enormous advocate for how CST can help facilitate better results. PM me and I can put you in touch with her for a phone interview.

As far as personal perspectives go, they have nothing to worry about in receiving massage. If laying face down is painful, request a sidelying position. Consult with a lactation consultant prior to the birth of your child, or take a prenatal breastfeeding class... they can help in suggesting positions/bolstering for breastfeeding that are less strain on the neck and shoulders and arms. As far as self-massage goes, every breastfeeding mom should know how to hand express milk for their own relief, but that might be better tackled from the LC side of things...

And definitely provide the link when your article is published!

 

[typical]

Massage and breastfeeding

PM'd you Thanks muchly!

Will of course post the link when done, thanks for reminding me!

 

[Bad Man]

Massage and breastfeeding

For me personally, my son decided to wean when I was in massage school. It was severely painful to receive a massage in the prone position. We fixed this by rolling up a towel and placing it under my clavicles. Also, I purchased a soft, absorbant towel to be used to absorb any breast milk while I was on my belly. We just placed this over the sheet. Receiving the massage was wonderful. (I mean massage is always wonderful) but it really helped me deal with a situation that I hadn't chosen for myself or my son and was really stressed about. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, but that was my experience!!

 

[skipper8622]

Massage and breastfeeding

I have never had breastfeeding affect my ability to give or receive massage in any way. I have between 2 kids nursed babies for 4 years and been a MT.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Massage and breastfeeding

I use a bodyCushion for nursing mothers and they all LOVE it.

Some people are concerned massage may move toxins around that end up in the breast milk, I just say that the increased blood flow from when they were pregnant would've been moving everything around already anyway, so it's not a concern.

In India, the new mother is traditionally kept at home getting massages and generally looked after for 42 days, many Asian countries have a similar scheme. Getting a massage while breast feeding is an age old practice.